SeaWorld Orlando Refutes Woman's Claim of Duck Strike on Mako Roller Coaster
SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida, refuted a woman's claim that she was struck by a duck while riding the Mako roller coaster. The park clarified that the bird in question was actually a Snowy Egret, a wading bird commonly found in estuarine areas. SeaWorld's investigation revealed that the woman, Hillary Martin, declined immediate medical attention to continue enjoying her day at the park and sought treatment the following day.
SeaWorld is seeking to dismiss Martin's lawsuit, asserting that the park cannot be held liable for the actions of the Egret as it had no control over the bird. The park cited previous legal cases involving wildlife incidents to support its position. Additionally, SeaWorld rejected Martin's claim that the roller coaster's proximity to a body of water created a "zone of risk," dismissing it as speculative and lacking legal merit.
The park emphasized that the presence of the bird in the air, away from the alleged water source, undermines any connection between SeaWorld's premises and the woman's alleged injury. SeaWorld notified Martin's attorney of its findings, and a hearing is scheduled for December 8. Martin's attorney has not responded to requests for comment.
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